Marcus Murrell '17
Admissions Counselor
Marcus works to help new students through the enrollment process so that their transition to life at CU is easy, yet memorable. As an alum, Marcus knows first-hand the high quality and affordable education Concord offers, but that wasn’t all that drew him to the university. Marcus says it started in high school with his very first visit: “Although I was still in high school, I felt my presence was welcomed all over campus. This sense of individual welcoming on campus remained with me for the next four years.” Now that Marcus is an Admissions Counselor, he can share his experience with other prospective students. Call today and let Marcus tell you how CU is here for you.
“From my first visit on campus, I felt like I mattered.”
Staff
Dr. Michael Bean
Assistant Professor of Education
Dr. Bean is excited to be part of Concord’s Education Department, working with students he describes as respectful and ready to learn. One lesson Dr. Bean and our other faculty members teach Concord students is the reality of the profession. Through a variety of placements and teaching opportunities, or “in the fire” opportunities as Dr. Bean describes them, our students are prepared to enter the field.
“I have a passion for education. I see how that can open doors and create opportunities.”
Faculty
Dr. Joan Pendergast
Chair, Department of Social Work and Title IX Coordinator
When Dr. Pendergast was finishing her Ph.D. in Social Work Education at the University of South Carolina, she dreamed of teaching at a school like Concord. “I have wanted to live in the mountains for as long as I can remember,” she says. In 2007, she accepted a tenure-track position at CU and has found a home here. “The campus community is welcoming and accepting,” she says. Before completing her doctoral degree, Dr. Pendergast was a practicing social worker, valuable experience she shares with her students. “When I speak with students about social work, I explain that this is the best job and worst job you can have,” she says. “It’s very rewarding to see how people can change their lives, and it can be discouraging when these changes do not come.” Dr. Pendergast is dedicated to preparing her students for the realities they’ll face after graduation, and says she enjoys “being a small part of their journey.”
Faculty